In accordance with the Washington State Maritime Cooperative (WSMC) Enrollment Agreement, WSMC must notify enrolled vessel members of changes to the WSMC Transit Fee Schedule effective July 1, 2016. This new fee schedule is available now.

On June 4, 2014, at a luncheon in his honor, Bob Nolting, Legal Counsel, was presented a plaque to commemorate his service to the Washington State Maritime Cooperative (WSMC). Bob has recently completed over twenty years of contractual service to the Washington State Maritime Cooperative (1994 to the present) and its predecessor, the Washington State Maritime Commission (1991-1995).

January 23, 2014 – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) has granted full approval to the Washington State Maritime Cooperative (WSMC) oil spill contingency plan. Ecology has issued a five-year approval, which will run through January 23, 2019.

Starting in January 1, 2014, the WSMC Plan will provide coverage utilizing MSRC for primary spill response resources. These resources provide the WSMC member with coverage by a plan with superior response capability. All for the same cost of compliance.

The revised WSMC Plan no longer requires “supplemental” resources. Effective January 1, 2014, WSMC will become a member of the Marine Preservation Association (MPA), thereby gaining access to Marine Spill Response Corporation’s (MSRC’s) comprehensive spill response resources in the State of Washington. There is no increase to the WSMC fee for adding MSRC to the WSMC Plan.

Vessels may have either MSRC or NRC as their national OSRO and enroll in WSMC. However, MPA members who enroll in WSMC will receive a credit on their MPA national dues from MPA for a portion of their WSMC fees. Also, WSMC will provide “no cost” coverage in 2014 to any company enrolling a tank vessel or barge that also becomes a member of MPA for access to MSRC on a national basis.

The Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) is pleased to announce a cooperative arrangement with the Washington State Maritime Cooperative (WSMC). Effective January 1, 2014, WSMC will become a member of the Marine Preservation Association (MPA), thereby gaining access to MSRC’s comprehensive spill response resources in the State of Washington.

We are happy to report the revised WSMC Oil Spill Contingency Plan has been approved by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The revised plan is effective on January 1, 2014. Note: This is a conditional approval with full approval expected January 2014.

In WSMC’s continuing efforts to better serve our membership, WSMC is reviewing and considering amendments to its vessel enrollment agreement while actively working with the IG to make it consistent with the IG guidelines. Resolution of this issue is anticipated.